What is Virtual memory?

Question

my computer says that my virtual memory is too low, how cna i fix it?

Answer 1

Virtual memory or virtual memory addressing is a memory management technique, used by computer operating systems, more common in multitasking OSes, wherein non-contiguous memory is presented to a software (aka process) as contiguous memory. This contiguous memory is referred to as the virtual address space.

Virtual memory addressing is typically used in paged memory systems. This in turn is often combined with memory swapping (also known as anonymous memory paging), whereby memory pages stored in primary storage are written to secondary storage (often to a swap file or swap partition), thus freeing faster primary storage for other processes to use.

In technical terms, virtual memory allows software to run in a memory address space whose size and addressing are not necessarily tied to the computer's physical memory. To properly implement virtual memory the CPU (or a device attached to it) must provide a way for the operating system to map virtual memory to physical memory and for it to detect when an address is required that does not currently relate to main memory so that the needed data can be swapped in. While it would certainly be possible to provide virtual memory without the CPU's assistance it would essentially require emulating a CPU that did provide the needed features.


If you are using Windows XP follow this

Right click on "My Computer" and select "Properties".
Now "System Properties" window appears

Click on the "Advanced" tab.
In the "Performance" frame click "Settings". (Top most frame in the window).
Now "Performance Options" window appears.

Click on the "Advanced" tab.
In the "Virtual Memory" frame click "Change". (Bottom most frame).
Now "Virtual Memory" window appears.

Now in this window you have options to select the virtual memory.
"System managed size" is recommended.
You can also choose "Custom size".

Set the "Initial size" and "final size" in case of Custom size.
Perform ace may be good if both are same.

The size you select should be more than "Recommended size" that is available in the same window at the bottom.

Finally after setting it. To apply changes click on the "Set" button in the same window.
Then click "OK".
Again click "OK".
Click "OK" once again.

You will be prompt to restart your system.

That's it.

Answer 2

You can add more RAM - so your operating system isn't so reliant on virtual memory, which is space on your hard drive being utilised as memory in the event of insufficient RAM. There is a myth that when having large amounts of RAM installed that you can totally disable your virtual memory; well, you can - however Windows will "secretly" recreate a hidden virtual memory / swap file on your hard drive. Best bet is to install the maximum RAM your motherboard will support whilst taking into consideration that your operating system also has RAM limitations i.e. Windows XP (32bit) has a 4GB limit - even though it will only show 3GB if you click on "system"; the 64bit version does not have that limitation. And - set the virtual memory to a fixed size rather than having Windows handle it. They used to recommend a setting of 2.5 times your physical RAM but you can set it for much less if you have 2 - 4 GB's of RAM installed. You must set the virtual memory to something though - even if it's just 128MB, otherwise Windows will do it for you even if disabled. It will show disabled in the control panel but when you uncheck "hide system files" you'll see that swap file on your hard drive.

Answer 3

This message appears when the C drive runs out of free space, and the computer can not get enough free space reserved for virtual memory. The solution to this problem is to free some space on C drive, which you can do easily after reading the article on this link
http://mypchelp.blogspot.com/2006/10/pc-running-slow.html

Answer 4

Virtual Memmory is using Hard Disk Drive Space as it were RAM. RAM is physical memory that it's installed in memory slots. RAM looks as green rectangles. But sometimes programs need more memory than those RAM DIMMS actual capacity so the workaround is to simulate harddisk space as if it were RAM, but it is slower but that's why it pays to have a fast 7200RPM speed hard drive.

Answer 5

virtual memory is the memory accessed by your computer in your hardrive. it depends on your memory how much you virtual memory should be. You can configure this by right click on my computer, properties, performance tab then click memory. then you can specify your own virtual memory. Your ideal virtual memory should 1.5 multiplied by the total physical ram you have. ex 1gb then your virtual memory should be 1.5mb etc. etc.

Answer 6

From what was told from my friend, virutal memory is RAM via hard drive. As for solving, I do not know, sorry.

Answer 7

Check your hard drive space and off-load your pics, vids, & music to dvds or cds. That should solve your delimma.

Answer 8

GARUT, Indonesia (UPI) -- The fifth human death in Indonesia in two weeks from avian influenza has prompted officials to launch a campaign against backyard chickens.
*

1/21/2007
GARUT, Indonesia -- The fifth human death in Indonesia in two weeks from avian influenza has prompted officials to launch
* Food allergies said linked to British ills

1/21/2007
ROCHESTER, England -- A new report from Allergy UK has found that 45 percent of common health complaints in Britain
* Diabetics create market for themselves

1/21/2007
LOS ANGELES, CA, United States -- Entrepreneurs and patients are using television to capitalize on a growing market, the increasing
* Taiwan urges China to verify and publicize suspected SARS cases

1/21/2007
Taipei - A Taiwan health official on Sunday asked Beijing to verify and publicize 'immediately' suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome
* Md. kids may miss school over vaccinations

1/20/2007
BALTIMORE, MD, United States -- Up to 12,000 children in Maryland may not be allowed into school next week unless

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Officials are urging residents to sell or otherwise give up backyard chickens, which are common throughout the country, Voice of America reported.

The latest victim was identified as a 19-year-old woman in the town of Garut. Her death brought the total bird flu death toll in Indonesia to 62.

VOA said officials in South Korea are planning to slaughter thousands of birds to deal with their own bird flu outbreak.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International
*

1/21/2007
GARUT, Indonesia -- The fifth human death in Indonesia in two weeks from avian influenza has prompted officials to launch
* Food allergies said linked to British ills

1/21/2007
ROCHESTER, England -- A new report from Allergy UK has found that 45 percent of common health complaints in Britain
* Diabetics create market for themselves

1/21/2007
LOS ANGELES, CA, United States -- Entrepreneurs and patients are using television to capitalize on a growing market, the increasing
* Taiwan urges China to verify and publicize suspected SARS cases

1/21/2007
Taipei - A Taiwan health official on Sunday asked Beijing to verify and publicize 'immediately' suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome
* Md. kids may miss school over vaccinations

1/20/2007
BALTIMORE, MD, United States -- Up to 12,000 children in Maryland may not be allowed into school next week unless

Subscribe to t